We all have things we worry about. But can you imagine what it is like to worry everyday about food? To worry how you are going to feed your kids today? To worry if you have enough money at the end of the month to buy food after paying your bills?

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“When I first found myself unemployed, not knowing how long it would take to receive benefits, I found myself for the first time in my life needing to reach out and not knowing how to do it.  I had been working full time and taking college classes. I could not believe it. I felt embarrassment, anguish and frustration at the situation I now found myself in, having to reach out for help.  I went to look for help with my head down, hoping no one would see me, and feeling shame. Yet I soon found out I wasn’t alone and that was my measure of consolation.  I have found the community support in West Chester to be above and beyond what a person could expect and every day I have heartfelt thanks to the community, volunteers of the churches, the food cupboards and the community at large.”

PS: This was in September 2009.  A recent conversation with him (January 2010) at the West Chester Food Cupboard revealed that he has started college classes again, he was looking for a room rather than an apartment to rent and was navigating the world of benefits and grants – he remains optimistic and very grateful for the help he has received.

The 200+ park residents had lost most of their perishable food in the storm and had just been informed that power would not be restored until later that night at the earliest. The president of the home owner’s association, Shawn Moyer and wife Amanda were looking for help, and the Food Bank staff moved into action!

On Monday morning the Chester County Food Bank made an “Emergency Relief ” delivery to residents of the trailer park. They provided them with frozen meats, cheese, butter, eggs, and produce donated by Pete Flynn of Pete’s Produce Farm, as well as shelf-stable milk and some other non-perishables.

Many thanks to all of the volunteers who were able to help the Chester County Food Bank successful respond to a situation like this.

We asked him to write up his experience to see if we could post it or use it somehow on our Web site..   Kind of a “What I did on my semester break instead of going to…… “     This is it!    Cresswell_Spring_Break_2010

When you deliver mail to homes, you get to know people. So I knew of this family on my route that the husband got laid off and they were struggling financially. I told them about the places in Chester County they could go to for free food. At first they were too proud to take the food – but I told them about how these programs are run to help them get back on their feet. Everyone needs a little help.